By IANS,
New Delhi: India were seeded second in men’s and fourth in women’s team competitions of the table tennis event at the Commonwealth Games.
India, who are defending champions in the men’s team event are placed alongside minnows like Guyana, Vanuatu and Dominica in Group B.
Singapore, the silver medallist of the Melbourne Games, are the top seed.
Australia, Nigeria and England are the other strong teams in the men’s competition.
The women’s team, which won a bronze in the team event four years ago have Sri Lanka, Ghana and New Zealand in their group stage.
But the Kiwi team comprising five Asian origin players are the only ones to pose any trouble for the Indian eves in their Group D.
World Champions Singapore have got the top billing and are favourites to win gold yet again.
The top two teams in the group stage will qualify for the quarterfinals.
Dhanraj Choudhary, the Secretary General of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) said both teams have got an easier draw.
“We are happy with the draw. It is fairly an easy one. The real test for our teams will start after the group stage. Facing New Zealand in the womens’ event will a challenge though. Top two teams qualify for the next stage so it should not be a problem, Choudhary told IANS.
The tournament will see 25 teams in the men’s and 16 in the women’s event vying for 21 medals.
The table tennis event starts Oct 4 at the Yamuna Sports Complex.